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Trip from Absarokee, MT to Bozeman, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 59m

Distance

115.6 mi

186 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 51m ★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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census-designated place in Stillwater County, Montana, United States

Absarokee, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Bozeman, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Stretching 115.6 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Absarokee to Bozeman typically takes about one hour and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because of the manageable duration, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating primarily via State Highway 78, I-90, and local Frontage Road, you will find the transition between these two Montana locations efficient and direct. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two mountain communities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.8 miles from Absarokee, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 95 mi 1h 30m
State Highway 78 13.5 mi 16m
Frontage Road 3.6 mi 4m
East Main Street 1.6 mi 4m
North 9th Street 0.9 mi 1m
East Pike Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
North Woodard Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Pratten Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 95 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Absarokee, MT and Bozeman, MT.

1

Start on MT 420

114 ft · 10 sec · West Grove Street
2

Turn left onto MT 78

0.2 mi · 35 sec · North Woodard Avenue
3

Continue on MT 78

14 mi · 16 min · State Highway 78
4

Continue on MT 78

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Pratten Street
5

Turn right onto MT 78

0.2 mi · 44 sec · East Pike Avenue
6

Turn left onto MT 78

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
8

Merge onto I 90

95 mi · 1 hr 30 min · I 90
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Bear Canyon Road
10

Turn right onto Moffit Gulch Road

77 ft · 6 sec · Moffit Gulch Road
11

Turn left onto Frontage Road

3.6 mi · 4 min · Frontage Road
12

Continue on East Main Street

1.6 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
13

Turn right onto North Willson Avenue

130 ft · 3 sec · North Willson Avenue
14

Arrive at destination

North Willson Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits your plans. You won't need to worry about complex stop-overs, as there are no mandatory stops required to complete the journey within the two-hour window. Given the heavy reliance on I-90, keep a steady eye on traffic patterns during peak hours to ensure you maintain your projected pace. Because the longest stretch is 95 miles, make sure your fuel tank is sufficiently topped off before you leave Absarokee to avoid any mid-interstate concerns. Taking advantage of the morning hours can help you avoid potential congestion as you transition toward Bozeman.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.8 miles from Absarokee, MT, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 25 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.8 miles or 1h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bozeman, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Absarokee, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Absarokee, MT

This is one driving day of about 115.6 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Absarokee, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 95 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Sweet Grass County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Timber, MT

58 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Big Timber, MT to Bozeman, MT

60.5 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Columbus, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Timber, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from Absarokee, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livingston, Montana

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 90.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14069461286

Visit website

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.2 mi

Bacchus Pub

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bozeman, Montana

0 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.1 mi

Niemi’s Rosebud Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Absarokee, Montana

0.1 mi

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 90.9

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14069461286

Visit website

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14065561351

Visit website

Bacchus Pub

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14064041996

Visit website

Sweet Chili Asian Bistro

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14065821188

Visit website

Western Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14065870436

Visit website

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14065870055

Visit website

Montana Ale Works

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14065877700

Visit website

RSVP Motel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

+14064047999

Visit website

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065561053

Visit website

Niemi’s Rosebud Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Absarokee, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14063286969

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14065458089

Visit website

MainStreet Commons

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Absarokee, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14063284115

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Studio Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.6

Bozeman, Montana

+18889982546

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 90.9

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

Itch-Kep-Pe Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 16.5

Columbus, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 110.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | MT 78 / North Woodard Avenue

Turn left onto MT 78 / North Woodard Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
13.9 mi into trip | ~17m in | MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

Turn right onto MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
14.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | MT 78 / North 9th Street

Turn left onto MT 78 / North 9th Street

Navigation decision point

4
110.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward Bear Canyon Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Bear Canyon Road
4
110.5 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | Moffit Gulch Road

Turn right onto Moffit Gulch Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.32 one way

$36.64 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $19.20 $38.40
premium $4.53 $20.62 $41.24
diesel $5.61 $25.52 $51.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.7 0 $12.14 $5.55
Efficient EV 28.9 0 $10.11 $4.62
EV Truck/SUV 46.2 0 $16.18 $7.40

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (65% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026

Origin

Absarokee, MT

Night in Absarokee on Saturday

Local time

10:35 PM

MDT

Current temp

39°F

Partly Cloudy

W 9 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bozeman, MT

Night in Bozeman on Saturday

Local time

10:35 PM

MDT

Current temp

38°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 3 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This journey is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 94% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 95 miles that allows for steady cruising. The character of the road shifts from the more localized feel of State Highway 78 to the high-speed rhythm of the interstate. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding turns. By the time you merge onto the final stretches, you will have a clear sense of the open, expansive nature of this regional corridor.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 78. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MT 78 / North Woodard Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Absarokee, MT to Bozeman, MT is easy. At 1h 59m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MT 78 / North Woodard Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.9 miles (MT 78 / East Pike Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles (MT 78 / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

5,426 ft 3,696 ft

Total Climb

1,730 ft

Total Descent

664 ft

Highest Point

5,426 ft

~101.2 mi in

Elevation Range

1,730 ft

Notable High Points

5,426 ft at ~101.2 miles +457 ft prominence

About the Cities

Arriving in Bozeman, MT

Full guide →

Bozeman is a city in Montana's Yellowstone Country. Set in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, this college town is a place for experiencing the great outdoors around the year, and for those days the weather makes you want to stay indoors there are a number of museums and galleries to explore.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 95 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MT 78 / North Woodard Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.9 miles (MT 78 / East Pike Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles (MT 78 / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bozeman, MT before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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